210 or 211

[anchorman]

After trundling around the coutry in a brace of Discoveries for the last (trouble free) eight years, I am now about to take the plunge and buy an E class estate. The car will at times be used for towing a large twin axle caravan, so I've decided the 320 cdi is the one to go for but what I'm unsure about is what model to choose. With the money I've got I can afford a late w210 or an early w 211. So its over to you guys to offer any advise. I'm aware of the rust issues with the 210, is the 211 smitten with the same bug. Also would either car need an additional transmission oil cooler for towing. Many thanks in advance. Anchorman

 

[television]

Hello and welcome

I would go for the 211 a very different car, and the 320 is very good, one snag though, there is always the worry of the Valeo issue where the rad can leak into the gearbox.

Now the good news is that as you want a better oil cooler its fairly easy to have a large oil cooler fitted in place of the one in the car, and this means that the dreaded leak cannot happen to you.

Other than the above its a great car

 

[Marco Polo]

I've just changed from a W210 E240 estate to a W211 E320CDI estate. It's a bit unfair to compare the E240 engine to an E320CDI - the latter just blows my socks off and reminds me of my old W124 300-24TE (long-since departed).

The interior of the W211 is just so much more up to date - really impressive. However, it does feel a smaller car and the load area of the W210 was bigger - my two golden retrievers will tell you!

I went for an 04 plate to ensure I got one with galavanised metal having had the rust issues on my W210, although from other threads, I think you may also be OK with a 53 plate - although it is the build date and not registration date that is important. Do a search, and you'll find the relevant posts.

If I was you, I'd opt for the W211 absolutely!

 

[television]

Nano paint started 04-04

 

[Marco Polo]

This link from Hawk20 might help.

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=23630

 

[5imon]

w210 rusty - w211 some rust until 04 as Malcom said.

 

[Aussie Nick]

I would suggest that either proposed vehicles are not suitable to tow a twin axle caravan. One of the well known 4 wd's will always do the job better and more competently. i think you are going down the wrong track.

 

[jberks]

I'd have to disagree Nick. Sure a 4x4 is an excellent tow car, no question, but an E class will tow perfectly well too.
Whether you go 210 or 211 is a tricky one. There are pros and cons on both sides. The 210 has rust issues wheras the early 211s did suffer from the odd gremlin.
As a drivers car, the 211 is more dynamic, more up to date and IMHO a much better looking car so I'd go that way (as I did) but whichever, the engine is the same and both tow well so follow your heart. They are both very different so buy the one you like.

 

[Aussie Nick]

Ok Jberks I do not disagree totally. I agree with you on the 211. I think it is the better machine. Drives more like th 210 Avantgarde.
My point about the competent 4wd (not one of the toy ones) is that if he ever gets into a spot of bother the 4wd is better suited to towing a large trailer out of the bog or whatever else the impediment is (save and except for quick sand). Most 4wds, of the type I am thinking of, are heavier than the mid size sedans and the wheel base is the same. It only stands to reason that you will have an advantage using all 4 wheels to drive and engine brake when towing a large caravan.

 

[jberks]

Agreed - depending on where you venture. A boggy field with a 211 and caravan and fair enough you're going nowhere.

Its a similar quandry to mine. We have a Jeep Cherokee. OK small but still a proper old fashioned 4x4 with diff locks and a low range box. We use it to tow a twin axle horsebox and on frequent occasions as the jeep is relatively underpowered with a 2.5 diesel, we pull up the big mechanical lever and pop it into low range to get over tricky terrain or up steep inclines. Now the Mrs wants one of the new freelanders. The problem is that these have an electronic knob in place of our lever and allegedly, no low range capability, presumably using esp braking in place of the diff locks. Very clever but I'm a bit wary of doing away with a proper low range box.

 

[Aussie Nick]

I think your caution is very wise.The jeep is a more capable full on 4 wd than the freelander. Some of these electronic gizmos are not to be trusted as subtitutes for the real transfer case and diff locks. These plastic trendy 4 wds will never mix it with the real thing which the Jeep is one of. You only have to put the two machines side by side over proper challenging terrain. Add a boat or a trailer and you quickly observe who are the "men from the Boys"

 

[maddog]

I used to tow a 1250kg caravan with my W210 fully laden and had no problems, the car didnt seem to be working very hard at all, i dont think the transmission suffered.

FWIW i used to get 21mpg with the air con on when towing at sensible speeds.

Never had problems getting stuck in boggy fields either

 

[stumpy]

A friend of mine has a horsebox which she used to tow with her Mk 1 Freelander. Her words were 'it was fecking useless'. She is on her second Cherokee now. Says it all really.

 

[johnmc]

I would take the W211, based on my own experience. I work beside a bloke and his wife who have towed horses around for 25 years. They had a Freelander, dumped it pretty quick and now tow with, wait for it, a Mazda 6 2.3 MPS estate. Best tow car they've ever had! Work that one out!

John

 

[Aussie Nick]

Maddog Maddog

Maddog.....Fair shake of the crow's leg Mate.What sort of a boggy field was it that you pulled the heavy van through with a 210. Was it one lined with concrete and a few puddles.Next you are going to tell me you blokes are going to win the next world series.............. Keep dreaming mate.
By the way, over here, just before the world series starts I have it on very good information that the coach for our World beating team , hires a bunch of 210s from Pommy land ,then hitches some caravans on them and tells his blokes to drive to Arnhem land and back. By the time those blokes return after several break downs and subsequent rescues they are super cranky, angry, mean, nasty, and ready to kill anyone who steps on a cricket field from the opposing team. There I've done it, I have given away one of the team's training secrets away to the enemy.Oh well I hope they will forgive me. I hear that this year there is going to be a change in strategy. The coach is going to make everyone of the team eat a serving of English pudding the night before the first series starts. Now that is a guarantee to raise the blokes' ire......... See ya!!! Aussie Nick

 

[maddog]

Maddog.....Fair shake of the crow's leg Mate.What sort of a boggy field was it that you pulled the heavy van through with a 210. Was it one lined with concrete and a few puddles.

Caravanners over here "tend" to use proper caravan sites an example would be this one which we used ourselves

http://www.polmanter.co.uk/

or this one http://www.woodfarm.co.uk/Touring/TouringInfo.htm , you will notice the pitches are hardstanding and tarmac paths

I also used basic fields like the rough camping at the drag strips i frequented where you are just setting up in a field again no problems, ground clearance is an issue with my car not traction

but

I didnt make a habit of dragging my caravan through boggy fields, as perhaps i'm old fashioned but a week in a boggy field isnt my idea of fun and all year round carvanning wasnt my scene , if thats what the OP intends a 4wd would indeed be more suitable

 

[maddog]

We had a 1999 1.8 XEI Freelander and whilst it was ok off road (i used to do rough shooting) it was generally the worse car i have ever owned* and a pup of the highest order, to list the faults we had in the first 12 months would take longer than i have, total brake failure was the worst!!!

As the warranty drew to an end i became desperate to trade it in and was glad to see the back of it.

People slate the petrols as they are known for headgasket problems but the engine was truly the best part of ours!!


*and i have owned some of the worst cars ever made